Book-binding



(No Model.)

W. I. BLAGKMAN BOOK BINDING.

Patented Dec. 3, 1889.

n. PETERS, Phowumu n m, Washmjtnn, DC

UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM I. BLAOKMAN, OF COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI.

BOOK-BINDING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 416,553, dated December 3, 1889. Application filed December 7,1888. Serial No. 292,892. (No model.)

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM 1. BLACK- MAN, a citizen of the United States, resid ing at Columbus, in the county of Lowndes and Stateof Mississippi, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Book- Binding; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in book-binding, more particularly that class of books in which the binding-cords are inserted lengthwise of and lie within and continuously along the folds of the signatures in lieu of being threaded in and out, as in hand bookbinding.

The object of my invention is to produce a neat bindihg-one stronger than the ordinary hand-binding, and, furthermore, so applied and arranged that it approximates somewhat to the hand-sewing, and can be produced automatically by mechanism which is to be the subject of a futureapplication.

The drawings represent, in Figure 1,a perspective View of a series of signatures united by my improved method of binding. Fig. 2 is a section through the fold of a signature and transversely of the holding cords or bands. Fig.3 is a plan of apart of a signature. Fig. 4: is a perspective view of a series of signatures laid in position and showing the bandways or slots formed by the holes punched in each signature separately.

The object of my inventionis to secure each signature firmly for its entire length to the adjoining and contiguous signatures in lieu of at intervals, as now practiced in the ordinary method of hand-sewing; furthermore, to obviate the use of a single binding-thread, which is to be passed in and out about the holding-cords and signatures and made to pass from one signature to the' next adjacent to bind all said signatures together as a unit. I

veifect such result by providing each signature 2 with an individual binding-thread 3 and unite all their extremities by successive knots, preferably by a kettle-stitch, so

called; hence it a bindingthread should break only one signature could be released.

In carrying out my improved method of sewing to'be accomplished by automatic mechanism I employ a series of needles in the present instance fouror in number equal to the holding-cords 4 which they are intended to carry. These are disposed at intervals apart suitable to the length of the signatures of the book to be sewed. Presuming that several signatures have already been united by my method, the signature now to be attached is operated upon as follows: The signature, folded and with its individual binding-thread 3 laid closely within the fold, is presented to punches which are in alignment with the needles carrying the holding-cords. Said punches are adjusted to pass through the outer edge of the back fold of the signatures, thereby forming a series of holes 5, through which the individual binding-thread 3 is pushed a short distance. A'loop or bend 9 is thereby formed projecting from the back fold. (See broken line, Fig.3.) By this operation straight cuts or grooves 6, formed in the back of the book, serve to contain the holding-cords 4,, in order to give a smooth finish to the back of the book, said grooves beingmade up of the several holes 5 formed by the punching of each individual signature. Similarly transverse grooves or threadways 7 are formed by punching holes 10 in the signatures near the ends, through which the extremities of the individual binding-threads are passed and knotted at 8, the knotted strand fitting in said groove. By this method of simultaneously punching the signatures and inserting the loops created in the binding-threads, as also the respective ends therethrough, the separate operation of producing grooves or channels by saw-cuts, as hitherto practiced, is obviated. Following the operation of punching the signature, the latter is passed to the needles which carry the holding-cords. Said needles enter the hole 5 now formed in the back of the signature between the latter and the loop or bend 9 in the binding-threads, which project therethrough. The ends of the individual binding-threads are now passed through the holes 10, formed in the fold of each signature near its ends, as before premised, and are secured by a kettle or other locking stitch to the ends of the preceding signature last laid. Thus a strong knotted strand is formed: by the union of the ends of the individual binding-cords, and in shaping and rounding the book preparatory to attaching the cover this mode of securing the ends of the individual binding-threads is found peculiarly serviceable.

The formation of the braided or knotted strand indicated at 8 makes a very strong as well as elastic fastening, and the individual binding-cords are not so liable to break. In the event of one of such cords breaking, only that signature held thereby is released, the binding-threads which hold the signatures next adjacent and? contiguous not being disturbed or released,since each binding-thread is independently fastened. Thus the escape of several signatures by the breaking of one binding-thread cannot occur.

\Vhat I claim as my invention is- The improvement in the method of sewing the signatures of a book without being previously saw-cut or notched, by placing a single continuous thread in the folds of each separate signature, passing the threads through the folds of the signatures in four or more places by suitab1y-arranged punches that form the thread into loops, through which pass needles armed with twine or bindingcords for securing the signatures together, then cutting oi the internal threads at each end of each signature, passing the ends of the threads through the folds of each signature near their ends, and tying the ends of the threads securely around a thread or small binding-cord, substantially as and for the purposes stated.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM I. BLAOKMAN. W'itnesses:

F. CURTIS, II. E. LODGE. 

